The Chicago Symphony has renewed Riccardo Muti’s contract as Music Director until the 2022-23. The 80-year-old Italian conductor began his tenure with the orchestra in 2010, succeeding Daniel Barenboim, and is set to lead 10 weeks of concerts in Chicago and four weeks on tour, which will include a trip to China, Japan, and Taiwan. During his final season Muti {…}
The Chicago Symphony has announced the fall season of its 2021-22 season. Here is a look at the vocal and choral performances of the first half of the year. Michael Lewanski conducts Musicians from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra with soprano Whitney Morrison. The program includes music by Montgomery, Joachim, Hearne, and Smith. Performance Date: Nov. 1, 2021 Jakub Hrůša conducts {…}
(Credit: Joel Revzen’s official website) Classical Tahoe, a festival of classical music dedicated to promoting the cultural life of Lake Tahoe, has decided to adapt its 2020 edition to a Chamber Music Series. The Management of Classical Tahoe has been looking for various ways in order to ensure the celebration of classical music in the safe manner due to the {…}
The Chicago Symphony has canceled the fall portion of its 2020-21 season. The orchestra announced that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it could not go forward with its fall concerts. In a statement, the organization said, “The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association (CSOA) announces that CSOA-presented 2020-21 season programs originally scheduled to take place beginning September 17 through December 23, 2020, {…}
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2020-21 season with Riccardo Muti leading a number of important and rare works and international soloists. For this article we will highlight the vocal performances. A highlight of the year-long celebration of the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth will be Riccardo Muti conducting the composer’s Missa solemnis. The maestro will conduct the Chicago {…}
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2019-20 season, featuring a number of important soloists and important works. For this season announcement, we will only focus on vocal showcases or programs related to opera in any way. Here is a look. Yannick Nezet-Seguin leads the Orchestre Métropolitain de Montréal in Bruckner’s Symphony No. 4 as well as Joyce DiDonato in {…}
Celebrating 60 years of the Chicago Symphony Chorus was no easy task given the unit’s reputation for quality. That anniversary was marked this past weekend with a program highlighted by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus putting forth an absolutely sublime Schubert Mass in E-Flat major. The three-part program began with maestro Riccardo Muti and the CSO performing the overture {…}
For decades Riccardo Muti has been one of the finest interpreters of Verdi’s music. In fact, his understanding of the great composer’s style has created countless imitators, but few with the capacity of truly understanding the balance between a propulsive rhythmic emphasis and the nuance of Verdian singing. On Thursday, June 22, 2017, the maestro showcased his interpretative genius with {…}
As the career of the great James Levine enters its twilight, major organizations are finding ways to recognize his work. The Metropolitan Opera, where he has been for decades has already made him music director emeritus and it seems that another organization is just as ready to create a position to honor him. Enter Ravinia, which has now conferred on {…}